The town of Biertan / Birthalm is one of the oldest settlements in Transylvania. It was first mentioned in 1283 in a document concerning the taxes demanded from the Catholic priests of Saxon settlements by the Superior Board (Capitle) of Alba-Iulia. As far back as the late 14th century, Biertan was mentioned as an oppidum (borough). In 1418 it receives the Ius gladii (the right to be a sword bearer) and the right to organize a weekly Saturday market in the main square. This latter custom has endured well after WW II. Competing for the title of judicial and administrative centre was also Mosna / Meschen. This is why the two townships were each stimulated to build impressive buildings which were to augment their glory. But as the two were matching up their strengths, Medias finally won the title. What it may have lost in administrative power, Biertan surely won in the spiritual one. For three hundred years, since the election of priest Lucas Ungerus as head of the evangelist community in Transylvania, on the 6th of May 1572, Biertan was the seat of the bishopric.

The Church
The church was built between 1486 and 1524 on the premises of an older church. It has three equally high naves and is the last edifice of this kind to be built in Transylvania. It is built in late gothic style with Renaissance elements and was rather limited in its design by the configuration of the ground it was built on.

The Fortification
The system of the fortified church consists of three precincts that successively enclose one another and communicate through gate-towers.

You can find more information about this church and many others on this CD dedicated to the fortified churches in Transylvania.